The Tomari plant on the northern island of Hokkaido went offline for routine maintenance and is not due to close permanently, but activists said the switch-off meant Japan was not using any electricity generated by nuclear power for the first time in 40 years.

Campaigner Masashi Ishikawa said: “Today is a historic day. There are so many nuclear plants, but not a single one will be up and running today and that is because of our efforts.”